Multi-coring FAS6200 processors

What's the secret sauce

NetApp is being coy about the processors in its FAS6200 arrays, saying only that the 6280 can have 24 cores. However, we have been given a view of the core sauce from someone who should know.

The FAS6210 has two 4-core E5520 (2.26GHz) processors per controller, meaning 16 cores in a high-availability mode. These would be 'Gainstown' CPUs.

The FAS6240 has two 4-core Xeon E5540 (2.53GHz) processors per controller meaning 16 cores in dual controller configuration. These would also be Gainstown processors.

The FAS6280 has two 6-core X5670 ( 2.93GHz) processors per controller, meaning 24 cores in dual controller configuration. These must be Gulftown CPUs.

For the 6240 NetApp has chosen faster processors but the same number of cores as the 6210. The 6280 has both faster processors and more cores than the 6240 to provide a nicely graded ramp in performances we move from the 6210 to the 6240 and then the 6280.

Our information is that the SSD source in the FAS3200 and 6200 arrays is Samsung by the way, with Micron as a potential second source. ®